Can You Have the Holy Spirit and a Demon at the Same Time? – Derek Prince Explains
I wrote extensively about Derek Prince's false teachings from 2014-18. I am revisiting the subject of demonic possession due to the prominence of various "deliverance ministries" via false teachers such as Vlad Savchuck, Isaiah Salvidar, Bob Larson, Torben Sondergard, and Kathryn Krick etc. whose ministries often mirror the aberrant ministry of Prince and others. In this video, Prince falsely teaches that a Christian can be indwelt by "two spirits".
Prince: "The most difficult people to deal with are people who have two kinds of spirit. One is the Holy Spirit and the other is not. Now people will tell you that the Holy Spirit wouldn't dwell in an unclean vessel. That's wrong. The Holy Spirit does dwell in unclean vessels.."1
A biblical rebuke to this false claim:
What God has made clean, do not call common/unclean (koinos). Acts 10:15 cf. Acts 11:9).2
This phrase is repeated twice in the Book of Acts and is preceded by the Greek word for "voice" (φωνή, phōnē) which suggests an authoritative proclamation. The phrase "has made clean" (καθαρίζω, katharizō) signifies a divine act of purification. This indicates the new covenant in Christ, where all believers, Jew and Gentile alike, are made clean by grace through faith. (Ephesians 2:8).
Deliverance ministers practice a form of spiritual abuse wrapped up in Christianese. These wolves plant seeds of doubt in the minds of believers that they have not been truly cleansed from their former sins. (2 Peter 1:9). They lead believers into far worse problems than they claim to solve; they kill joy and assurance and their lies lead to confusion, anguish, and bondage. (1 Peter 5:8; 2 Corinthians 11:14). The scriptures state repeatedly that the Holy Spirit brings cleansing and renewal to regenerated believers.
Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, (Acts 3:19).
... to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ (Acts 26:18).
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9).
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9).
Titus 3:5; 1 John 1:9; 2 Peter 1:9; Hebrews 9:14; 1 John 1:7; Hebrews 10:22; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:11,19; Ephesian 5:26; Romans 15:16 etc.
Prince engaged in obfuscation and double-talk. On one hand, he taught that believers cannot be demonically possessed; on the other, he taught that believers can have "two spirits". Prince: "..he came to believe that Christians could be 'demonized', (normally described as "possessed" by demons.."3
The scriptures teach that believers are cleansed from their sins and made holy by the blood of Jesus Christ. This is not to promote sinless perfection since sanctification is an ongoing process within believers. However, no true follower of Jesus Christ is an "unclean vessel"! It is inconceivable that the Holy Spirit would dwell within a person together with a demon.
Believers can be tempted, harassed, and oppressed by demons at times. However, a genuine follower of Jesus Christ cannot be demonically possessed. No believer was ever delivered from a demon in the New Testament! If we are plagued by former ungodly habits and addictions it is necessary to persist in prayer and to recognize that God will deliver us from temptation. (1 John 1:9; Matthew 6:13; Galatians 5:16). The Corinthians had many serious issues with sin and immorality. However, Paul did not recommend "deliverance", he instructed them to cleanse out the old leaven (sin). Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. (1 Corinthians 5:7,6:11; Romans 6:2; 2 Peter 1:9). If someone has made a conscious decision to follow evil that is another matter entirely; such a person cannot be truly devoted to Jesus Christ. (Numbers 25:3).
Prince's endorsement of false prophet William Branham is a major red flag!
It should be glaringly obvious to any bible believing Christian that William Branham was a false prophet/teacher. Prince claimed that Branham had "two spirits" dwelling within him, "the Holy Spirit and a demonic spirit".4
Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt (pikron) water? "Strongs 4089: pikros bitter, acrid, malignant."5
Self-proclaimed "prophet" William Branham (1909-1965) was an early Pentecostal leader. He hugely influenced the Latter Rain Movement and his false teachings have left their mark on those who promote the restoration of apostles of prophets in the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). In reality, Branham was an occultist and a cult leader.
Branham's followers refer to his false teachings collectively as "The Message". His eschatological views were utterly demonic. He proclaimed himself the angel of Revelation 3:14,10:7. He also claimed to be the prophet Elijah and taught that his ministry would result in the return of Jesus Christ. He prophesied that by 1977 all denominations would be consumed by the World Council of Churches under the control of the Roman Catholics, that the rapture would take place, and that the world would be destroyed.
Branham taught the false Oneness doctrine. However, he differed from the Oneness baptism formula and insisted that his followers were re-baptized in the name of Jesus Christ only. He also taught annihilationism, predestination (similar to Calvinism), eternal security, and the serpent seed doctrine (i.e. the serpent had sexual intercourse with Eve).
Apologetics Index: "Branham taught that the Word of God was given in three forms: the zodiac, the Egyptian pyramids, and the written scripture. He said that anyone belonging to any denomination had taken 'the mark of the beast'.
Branham denied the Trinity, calling the Trinitatian doctrine 'of the devil.'
'Now don’t get excited. Let me say this with Godly love. The hours approached where I can’t hold still on these things no more… Trinitarianism is of the devil. I tell you that – Thus saith the Lord.'
William Branham, Footprints on the Sands of Time: The autobiography of William Marrion Branham, Part Two (Jeffersonville, IN: Spoken Word Publications, 1975), 606-7.
He insisted that believers baptized by a Trinitarian formula should be baptized in the name of 'Jesus only'
Branham denied the Trinity, calling the Trinitatian doctrine 'of the devil.'
'Now don’t get excited. Let me say this with Godly love. The hours approached where I can’t hold still on these things no more… Trinitarianism is of the devil. I tell you that – Thus saith the Lord.'
William Branham, Footprints on the Sands of Time: The autobiography of William Marrion Branham, Part Two (Jeffersonville, IN: Spoken Word Publications, 1975), 606-7.
He insisted that believers baptized by a Trinitarian formula should be baptized in the name of 'Jesus only'
His doctrine of the 'serpent’s seed' taught that Eve’s sin involved sexual relations with the serpent. Some humans are descended from the serpent’s seed and are destined for hell, which is not eternal, however."6
Derek Prince (1915- 2003) became a Pentecostal teacher in 1962. He was born in India to British parents and was a scholar of Greek and Latin, attending both Eton College and Cambridge University. It is my observation that some people from privileged backgrounds have a sense of entitlement and assume that they can automatically become church leaders. In reality, this is far from the case. (1 Samuel 16:7). Even after the failure of the infamous Shepherding Movement Prince persisted with this arrogant assumption and continued to damage the body of Christ. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. (Matthew 7:20).
A primary requirement for the office of overseer is to have the ability to teach and to accurately handle the word of truth. (1 Timothy 3:1-7; 2 Timothy 2:15). The scriptures warn that not many believers should become teachers since teachers will be judged with greater strictness. (James 3:1).
2. Strong's Greek: 2839. κοινός (koinos) -- Common, unclean, profane
3. Derek Prince - Wikipedia
4. Rejecting Branham's false model of ministry with spiritual gifts
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